Bike Lane Battle Crosses GWB Into Hoboken
HOBOKEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The mayor of Hoboken wants to make the city pedestrian and bike friendly. That could mean adding more bike lanes in an already congested community.
Traffic, narrow streets, barely any parking and few bike lanes. CBS 2's Christine Sloan saw one biker on the sidewalk weaving in between pedestrians. That's what Hoboken residents have had to deal with.
One man tells 1010 WINS' John Montone that he thinks the bike lane will clear up space and make sidewalks safer for pedestrians
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"I think people can ride their bikes in the street here. I just think they need to, too many people riding on the sidewalks. That needs to be reinforced more than a bike lane," resident Laurie Givens said.
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Hoboken wants to make the city safer for pedestrians and bikers. A new plan, funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, recommends installing pedestrian countdown signals, especially along busy Washington Street, and creating bike lanes throughout the city.
Some residents are questioning where bike lanes would go in an already crammed city, and why there isn't a focus on the big issue -- parking.
"They need more parking spaces, not bike lanes," resident Greg Williams said.
Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said she's working on parking issues and that the bike and pedestrian safety plan -- made possible through a grant -- wouldn't take away parking spots.
In a statement, Zimmer said the plan, "will go hand-in-hand with our ongoing efforts to continue to improve pedestrian and bike safety in Hoboken."
She said in the past year pedestrian crashes have dropped by 30 percent and bicycle accidents by 63 percent.
Many residents said they love the idea, adding there are too many double parkers blocking access to already existing bike lanes.
"Anything that improves the roadway for pedestrian bicycles, anybody taking part in activities, would be great because it's dangerous -- the streets in Hoboken," resident Stephen Marloe said.
"I think it's a great idea. I'm a big fan of bikes and drive, too. Less cars, the environment, it's much better," Grant Krause added.
But one resident said there should also be more policing.
"It's not only the bikes; it's more like moms with carriages, skate boarders. People don't pay attention," resident Sergio Malloni said.
Do you think more bike lanes in any city is a good idea? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
